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Texas CHL -
Amtrak Checked Firearms Program

26 December 2010

2.1.1 Handguns and Starter PistolsAt the station of departure, the passenger can only obtain their ticket from an Amtrak ticket agent at the ticket counter (kiosk or automated processing is not permitted).

 When the Amtrak ticket agent accesses the passengers reservation record, there will be a notification the passenger has indicated they will be transporting a firearm in checked baggage.

- The Amtrak ticket agent will issue the passenger a firearms checked baggage ticket and will also be responsible for issuing a Firearms Declaration form for each checked firearm. A ticket will be generated for each firearm to provide a confirmation tool for baggage agents that reservations and space exists on the train that the passenger is checking the firearm.

- The passenger will complete the Declaration form and return it to the Amtrak agent

- The Amtrak agent will separate the two part Declaration form, retaining one copy for Amtrak records

- The baggage agent (or ticket agent where they perform both functions) will lift the ticket and place a baggage tag on the suitcase for handguns. The ticket for the firearm, the station copies of the Firearms Declaration form, and baggage tag will be maintained at the station of origin

- The agent will then ask the passenger to open their baggage containing the firearm and place a hard copy of the declaration form inside the baggage and visually verify that the firearm is in an acceptable hard-sided, locked container

 If the container is not hard-sided, locked, or acceptable the Amtrak agent will deny transportation to the passenger until such time as the firearm is compliant with Amtrak movement requirements.

 Once the passenger has secured their baggage, the Amtrak agent will take charge of the baggage and it will be moved through the normal Amtrak checked baggage process.

- Checked baggage is unloaded from the train baggage car/area by the conductor or employee assigned and transported by the Amtrak agent to the passenger baggage retrieval area or baggage carousel.

- Amtrak agents will follow standard procedures to verify passenger baggage claim check stubs with the applicable baggage destination tag(s).
Amtrak does not permit passengers to transport black powder or percussion caps used in connection with black powder firearms in their checked or carry-on baggage.

2.1.2 Rifles and ShotgunsAt the station of departure, the passenger can only obtain their train ticket from an Amtrak ticket agent at the ticket counter (kiosk or automated processing is not permitted). At the time the passenger presents a rifle or shotgun to an Amtrak agent for carriage, the agent verifies through the Amtraks ARROW reservation system that a separate firearms reservation has been made for each rifle or shotgun (ARROW is Amtraks reservation system). Variances in baggage car types, size, configuration, and ownership will differ by train potentially impacting secure storage capacity for rifle or shotgun .

 The Amtrak ticket agent will issue the passenger a firearms checked baggage ticket and will also be responsible for issuing a Firearms Declaration form for each checked firearm

A ticket will be generated for each firearm to provide a confirmation tool for baggage agents that reservations and space exists on the train that the passenger is checking the firearm.

 The passenger will complete the Declaration form and return to the Amtrak agent.

 The Amtrak agent will separate the two part form, retaining one copy for Amtrak records. The baggage agent (or ticket agent where they perform both functions) will lift the ticket and place a baggage tag on the gun case for long guns. The ticket for the firearm, the station copies of the Firearms Declaration form, and baggage tag will be maintained at the station of origin.

 The agent will ask the passenger to open the hard-sided gun container and place a hard copy of the declaration form inside the container. The agent will visually verify that the firearm is inside an acceptable hard-sided and locked container.

 If the container is not hard-sided, locked, or acceptable the Amtrak agent will deny transportation to the passenger until such time as the firearm is compliant with Amtrak movement requirements.

 A gun container with the rifle or shotgun will be individually tagged as checked baggage and a receipt will provided to the passenger.

 A notification will be generated through the Arrow reservation system alerting the destination station that a rifle or shotgun is being stored inside the secured storage (cabinet/cage) of an incoming trains baggage car that would need to be off loaded.

 The Amtrak agent will take control of the hard-sided gun container and will place it in a secure storage (cabinet/cage) in the baggage storage area.

 At the time baggage is to be loaded onto the train, the Amtrak employee will ensure the rifle or shotgun is removed from the secure storage (cabinet/cage), transported in a secure manner to the baggage car/area of the train, and turned over to the conductor or employee assigned.

 The conductor or employee assigned places the rifle or shotgun container in the secured storage (cabinet/cage) inside the baggage car/area.

 Long guns reservations will be noted on the manifest for each specific train. The report will include the origin and destination stations for each rifle/shotgun booked on the train and the passenger information traveling with the firearm

 Upon arrival at the applicable destination, the rifle or shotgun container will be removed from the secure storage (cabinet/cage) in the baggage car by the conductor or employee assigned.

- The conductor or employee assigned will give the rifle or shotgun container to the Amtrak employee for secure transport from the train to the passenger baggage retrieval area

2.2 Firearm Storage and Carriage in Checked BaggageTicketed passengers wishing to transport firearms in checked luggage may only do so at rail stations where Amtrak offers checked baggage service. At the time the reservation is made or not less than 24 hours in advance of the trip, the ticketed passenger provides notification to Amtrak either orally or in writing, that they will be bringing a firearm and declaring it for checked baggage. The Amtrak employee will determine if the firearm to be checked is a handgun, starter pistol, rifle, or shotgun. The passenger reservation record will be flagged and an applicable firearms reservation may be issued. Passengers making travel reservations and planning to declare firearms for checked baggage service will be unable to obtain a ticket via the internet, kiosk other travel services and must obtain their passenger ticket at the Amtrak station ticket window at their station of departure. When the passenger presents the firearm to the Amtrak agent they must complete and sign a two part Firearms Declaration form certifying they are in compliance with the Amtrak requirements for movement of the firearm. Amtrak requires all firearms be unloaded, in an acceptable hard-sided locked container, and presented to the appropriate ticket or baggage window agent subject to movement requirements.
Amtrak does not permit passengers to transport black powder or percussion caps used in connection with black powder firearms in their checked or carry-on baggage.

2.2.1 Handguns and Starter PistolsPassengers presenting handguns or starter pistols will be required to open their baggage containing the handgun or starter pistol. The Amtrak agent will verify the firearm is being transported in an acceptable hard-sided and locked container. If the firearm is not in an acceptable hard-sided firearms container and locked, the Amtrak agent will deny transportation to the passenger until such time as the firearm is compliant with movement requirements. The Amtrak agent will place one copy of the two-part declaration form inside the bag containing the firearm. The baggage agent (or ticket agent where they perform both functions) will lift the ticket and place a baggage tag on the suitcase for handguns. The ticket for the firearm, the station copies of the Firearms Declaration form, and baggage tag will be maintained at the origin station. The Amtrak agent will accept the checked baggage containing the firearm and move it to the baggage collection point to await carriage. Firearms presented for checked baggage service will be additionally subject to the following conditions:

 The checked baggage containing the firearm will be subject to the provisions and conditions of Amtrak checked baggage service.

 The baggage will not exceed 50 pounds.

 Passengers will be required to show acceptable identification when checking baggage.

 Baggage must have identification tags attached that include passenger name and address. Amtrak provides free baggage identification tags at all stations accepting checked baggage.

 Check all firearms at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Allow additional time at large stations and during busy travel period. Firearms presented for checked baggage less than 30 minutes prior to departure may result in passenger being denied travel on that train.

2.2.2 Rifles and ShotgunsPassengers presenting rifles or shotguns for checked baggage service will be required to open the hard-sided container with the firearm.
The Amtrak agent will place one copy of the two-part declaration form inside the container and retain one copy of the Firearms Declaration form for Amtrak records. The Amtrak agent will accept the locked hard-sided container and place it inside a secured firearms storage area (cabinet/cage) to await carriage.
Upon arrival of the train at the station, the Amtrak agent securely transfers the hard side container from the secured storage area to the conductor or employee assigned for placement inside the secured storage area (cabinet/cage) on the train for carriage to destination. Rifles/shotguns presented for checked baggage service will be additionally subject to the following conditions:

 A separate reservation for secure storage space will have had to been made. Variances in baggage car types, size, configuration, and ownership will differ by train thereby impacting secure storage capacity for rifle/shotguns.

 The hard-sided container with the rifle/shotgun will be subject to the provisions and conditions of Amtrak checked baggage service.

 The hard-sided container with the rifle/shotgun will not exceed 50 pounds.

 Passengers will be required to show acceptable identification when checking the hard-sided container with the rifle/shotgun.

 Rifle/shotgun containers must have identification tags attached that include passenger name and address. Amtrak provides free baggage identification tags at all stations accepting checked baggage.

 Check all firearms at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Allow additional time at large stations and during busy travel period. Firearms presented for checked baggage less than 30 minutes prior to departure may result in passenger being denied travel on that train.